T20 World Cup 2026: India suffer humiliating loss against South Africa

India's strong batting order witnessed a rare collapse and the hosts suffered a humiliating 76 runs loss against Formidable South Africa in a Super 8 Group 1 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Chasing a victory target of 188, India were never on the chase and they were eventually bundled out for 111 in 18.5 over. Barring Shivam Dube (42, 37b, 1x4, 3x6) ), no other batsman could impress with the bat against the Proteas. Explosive opener Abhishek Sharma (15), skipper Suryakumar Yadav (18) and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (18) got starts, but failed to capitalise.

Marco Jansen (4/22) and Keshav Maharaj (3/24) bowled brilliantly to share seven wickets among them as the Indian batters were found struggling.

Earlier, South Africa recovered from an early collapse to post a competitive 187/7, thanks to a superb counterattack led by David Miller and Dewald Brevis.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, the Proteas were rocked early by India’s pace duo. Jasprit Bumrah clean bowled Quinton de Kock for 6 in the second over, while Arshdeep Singh removed captain Aiden Markram for 4. Bumrah struck again to dismiss Ryan Rickelton as South Africa slipped to 20/3 inside four overs.

Miller and Brevis then launched a spirited recovery. The pair added 97 runs for the fourth wicket, taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. They hammered 17 runs in one over off Varun Chakaravarthy and guided South Africa to 84/3 at the halfway mark.

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Shivam Dube finally broke the stand in the 13th over, dismissing Brevis for a brisk 45 off 29 balls. Miller, however, continued the charge, bringing up a 26-ball half-century- his second T20 World Cup fifty against India. He eventually fell for a scintillating 63 off 35 balls, with seven fours and three sixes.

Late strikes from Arshdeep and Bumrah pegged South Africa back briefly. Bumrah (3/15) also became India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin’s tally.

Tristan Stubbs provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls as South Africa finished on 187/7 in 20 overs.